Are your Irish Eyes smiling??!!

Erin go Braugh my friends,  Secret Elfster- Thank you,thank you for my gift . I recieved it Sat. and opened it while on the phone with Sherri- I think she had as much fun as I did!  Anyway, here is some info about my hertiage. I love my Irish roots ( maternal side + German) Paternal side- Welsh, English ,French Canadian & Irish-  I am considered "Black Irish" hence, black hair & dark eyes. My Great Gran came from Kelearney, in county Cork( Southern Ireland). They were Inn/Pub owners (  I still have distant relatives who are Inn/Pub keepers there)  & sheep farmers.   She was a Holloway, all of 4'8", a spite fire, loved tradition, named all of her children  Irish names- Ester, Patty, Francis,Erin, & Jimmy, big on family & parties. She taught all of us kids how to do an Irish gig and to do a step dance- which I still can't do!      My heritage is a good part Irish, so here is alittle info that my Great-Gran passed on to us. (We always had cornbeef, cabbage, new potatoes, and Irish Soda Bread- with currents in it- yum! )Plus the tea pot was always on and  there was lots of laughter.She sure was fun loving & never met a stranger she didn't get to know quickly-I guess that is where I get it from- hee~hee!!  Of course, on St. Patty's Day it was one BIG party from dawn to the next day- plenty of "GROGG" flowing( NOT green)- and lots of Blarney told. You do know that the Irish are great storytellers, don't you??? Although there won't be any "grogg "at my house here are a few facts/& fiction for you- Alittle history- 1. The St. Patricks Day Parade DIDN'T start in Ireland- it was first done in New York City in   1762! When homesick Isish soldiers ,serving in the british milatary in the Big Apple,came together and marched & played Celtic music in honor of their patron Saint Patrick. 2- Do wear GREEN- It is the hue of hope & spring! Plus, in Ireland, the schoolkids played a pinching game centuries ago. Green garbed children were protected from the hooligans up-to-no good fingers. Dressing this way on St. Patricks Day became a way to signify that you were safe from harm. 3. The moody & misterous leperchaun is disguised as a 2 ft. tall old man,in a cobblers leather apron and tall hat.Shhh- if you hear his hammer go "wham-bam-whack- there is a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow!!!        4.. The 4 leaf clover is suppose to bring you good luck-It is believed that you are blessed with God's good graces. Now you know more than you probably ever cared to- so here is a    Irish Blessing from me to you-  "May your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow and may trouble avoid you wherever you go!!"      Remember, to kiss the Blarney Stone if you want a sweetheart-hee~hee! Luck of the Irish to you, my friends!!!! Ellen

Wow!  This is soooo cool!  Ellen, thanks for sharing your history.  I have Irish roots too.  My maiden name is Glenn.  I don't know a lot about it though.  I just called my dad and he said he would explain it to me sometime.  I have a pin on today that says "Everyone loves an Irish Girl".  You know, Duncan may even be Irish.  It sounds it anyway.  My daughter may have Irish roots on both sides.  Lucky girl!  Sherri, my grandmother was full blooded cherokee making me 1/4.  I got the irish parts though...red hair, fair skin.  My sister, on the other hand, looks just like an American Indian.  She has thick black hair.  Beautiful, dark skin and eyes.  It's hard to believe we come from the same parents! I taped a show on Food Network this weekend and watched it yesterday.  It was hosted by Bobby Flay and it was about Irish food.  The soda bread sounded yummy!  When I can eat bread again, you'll have to share the recipe Ellen.  There were some really yummy foods on the show.  I'll be printing them off today. Have a beautiful, lucky St. Patty's Day! Jacqui

PS...Sherri, I'm waiting for my refridgerator picture!  I'll have to make room but it will be nice to have some other artwork added to Luci's.  Glad you liked the package!